Contact Us

Administrative Team Biographies

Nancy Reinhart serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for New York Business Development Corporation (NYBDC) and its affiliate, Empire State CDC: The 504 Company. Ms. Reinhart oversees the credit management, legal, accounting, special assets, loan processing and loan servicing teams at NYBDC. In addition, Ms. Reinhart is responsible for all new hires and oversight of all safety and soundness audit activities.

Amongst all of Ms. Reinhart’s responsibilities, her favorite responsibility remains the oversight of the NYBDC internship program. The program began in the late 90s and, under Ms. Reinhart’s direction, has expanded to offer eight internships per semester in three NYBDC offices.

Ms. Reinhart joined NYBDC in August of 2003 and has over 30 years of commercial banking experience. In the banking industry, she held several positions in commercial lending including commercial analyst, commercial lender, credit management and credit administration. Prior to NYBDC, Ms. Reinhart worked at Hudson River Bank and Trust serving as a Vice President responsible for the organization’s overall commercial credit management and administration as well as being the assistant in information technology.

Ms. Reinhart received her B.A. in Business Administration/Sociology from West Virginia Wesleyan College where she was member of the Women’s Varsity Basketball Team. She continues to be passionate about the sport and has attended the last four final four NCAA men’s tournaments.

Andrew Linehan, Executive Vice President and Senior Loan Officer

Andrew Linehan serves as Executive Vice President and Senior Loan Officer for New York Business Development Corporation and its affiliate, Empire State CDC: The 504 Company. His responsibilities include overseeing the loan portfolio originations, as well as reviewing all loan applications and granting approvals as a member of the Senior Staff Loan Committee. All regional managers, and indirectly all loan officers, report to him.

Mr. Linehan joined NYBDC in 1994, as a Vice President and Loan Officer, originating loans in the Hudson Valley. He began his banking career as a management trainee and was elected to manage the Commercial Credit Department. Prior to joining NYBDC, Mr. Linehan was a Vice President and Team Leader at Fleet Bank in their Corporate Banking Division serving Middle Market Relationships. He has over thirty years of banking experience.

Mr. Linehan has a B.S. in Finance from Siena College. Additionally, he has successfully completed banking courses through American Institute of Banking, Robert Morris Associates, and Colgate Darden Graduate School. He is a current member of the Albany County Empire Zone, as well as the Founder and President of Access to Athletics, Inc., a public charity, which has raised over $70,000 for the community through the Pine Bush Triathlon. Mr. Linehan is an active competitor in marathons and triathlons up to the Half-Ironman distance.

Owen Burns, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Owen Burns serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for NYBDC. His primary function is oversight of the Accounting Department, which is involved in all financial matters of the company, including the inflow and outflow of funds. He is responsible for financial reporting and all of NYBDC compliance relative to income tax and corporate insurance matters. Mr. Burns is also responsible for the oversight of human resource functions, including the implementation and administration of all employee benefit options, such as health insurance and 401(k) plans. Most other human resource administration is managed in this department, as well.

Mr. Burns has served in various departments within NYBDC, including time as a Staff Accountant, WTC Fund Program Manager and Credit Analyst. In December 2007, he was elected Assistant Vice President. In March 2009, he was named Acting Controller, and shortly after to Vice President and Controller. In December 2011, he was elected to his current position of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Burns joined NYBDC in February 2000, as an intern, while pursuing an Undergraduate Degree in Accounting from Siena College. He began his full-time employment with NYBDC as Accountant in June 2001, while continuing to pursue his degree from Siena. He graduated from Siena College in May 2005 with a BBA in Accounting.

Owen enjoys spending time with his family, wife Andrea, son Braiden and daughter Kailyn, playing and watching most sports, and enjoying time at the family camp during summers.

Leesa Naimo-Fredette, Senior Vice President, General Counsel

Leesa Naimo-Fredette serves as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for New York Business Development Corporation and The 504 Company. Her primary function is oversight and operation of the Legal Department, which is involved in all legal matters and loan closings for the companies.

Ms. Naimo-Fredette came to NYBDC in October of 2011. Prior to joining NYBDC, Ms. Naimo-Fredette was an Associate Attorney at Lemery Greisler LLC, where she served as a 504 U.S. Small Business Administration Designated Closing Attorney to Empire State CDC for 10 years.

While in private practice, Ms. Naimo-Fredette dedicated her practice to commercial transactions aimed at fostering economic development, creating or preserving job opportunities, and stimulating growth, expansion and modernization of small businesses throughout Upstate New York. In addition, she devoted a large portion of her practice to secured transactions, commercial loan closings, corporate law and liquor License law and applications

Ms. Naimo-Fredette graduated cum laude from Russell Sage College with a B.S. in 1998, earned her Juris Doctor degree from Albany Law School in February 2001 and received an M.B.A. from Union College in June 2001. She is admitted to practice in the State of New York and the State of Florida.

Kathleen Russom, Executive Assistant to Patrick MacKrell, President and CEO

Kathleen Russom serves as Executive Assistant and Corporate Secretary for New York Business Development Corporation and its affiliates, Empire State Certified Development Corporation and the Excelsior Growth Fund. Kathy joined NYBDC in 1988.

Kathy provides administrative support to the President & CEO of NYBDC and is responsible for follow-through on all projects and/or initiatives developed by the President.

QUICK LINKS

ABOUT NYBDC

NYBDC's goal is to promote the business prosperity and economic welfare of the State of New York by providing loans to small businesses including start-up, early stage and mature businesses, with a particular emphasis on minority and women owned businesses. NYBDC provides opportunities to access capital to create or preserve job opportunities and to stimulate the growth, expansion and modernization of small businesses in New York State.

MAILING LIST SIGN-UP

Subscribe to our mailing list to stay up-to-date with the latest news from NYBDC.